It was a decision that left many of the 24-year-old's former team-mates at the Bernabéu stunned, such is the high regard in which he is held among his peers, and Cazorla cannot wait to link up with Ozil, who could make his Premier League debut at Sunderland on Saturday.

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper Marca, Cazorla said: "I am very happy that Ozil is here. He is a spectacular player and we are very lucky we are going to learn alongside him.

"I don't understand that [why Real Madrid sold him], he is a unique player. You will have to ask the club for reasons why they sold them, but at the same time he didn't think he was getting the opportunities he deserved and luckily he has come to us.

"He is an important player and he is going to be very good for the team and the way we play. I hope he can help us fight against the big teams in the Premier League."

Cazorla has impressed since his move from Málaga in the summer of 2012, and was reported to have attracted interest from Atlético Madrid. However, the 28-year-old maintains he never thought about moving. "The Atletico president said there was nothing in this, and I always very relaxed about it," he said.